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TRH begin their annual summer tour of Wales and accompany The Queen to the opening of the Third National Assembly for Wales

4th June 2007

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall began their annual summer tour of Wales today.

For their first engagement, Their Royal Highnesses accompanied The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the opening of the third National Assembly for Wales.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are in Wales for four days on their annual summer tour which will include visits to Powys, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Bangor.

In a speech The Queen said Wales was entering a "new era for devolution" when she opened the third National Assembly, known as the Senedd in Welsh.

It will not have the same freedom as the Scottish Parliament, but it will be able to apply to Westminster for the right to legislate in devolved fields.

Speaking in the Assembly's circular debating chamber, The Queen said: "It is now for you to ensure that policies and legislation meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Wales more closely than ever before.

"I shall follow your progress with great interest and hope that you will build on the achievements of the last eight years in the service of the people of Wales."

The Royal party spoke to children and guests as they left the Senedd to the sound of the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Junior Schools Choir.

Taya Crossey, eight, from St Paul's School in Grangetown, Cardiff, was chosen to collect flowers for The Queen as she walked down the red carpet to her waiting car.

Taya said: "It was really exciting to meet The Queen. I gave her flowers and she shook my hand, and said thank you. She smiled at me and I thought she was very nice and very kind. I was glad to take part in such a special day."

Her mother Trea Duggan, 30, said: "I couldn't believe it when they chose Taya to collect the flowers. I'm so proud of her."

Afterwards, the Royal party arrived at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, which celebrates its centenary this year.

Royal Navy officers lined the building's steps and the Royal guests were greeted by the museum's President Paul Loveluck, Vice President Dr Susan Davies, Director General Michael Houlihan, and Treasurer Wynn Howells.

Mr Loveluck guided the Royal guests through to an exhibition of work by Newport photographer Angus McBean, one of the most significant portrait photographers of the 20th Century, where they were introduced to the museum's trustees and supporters.

The party then moved on to an exhibition of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, which The Queen has loaned to the museum and which are kept in a darkened room lit only by spotlights.

The Queen unveiled a Welsh slate plaque to commemorate her visit before all four members of the Royal Family signed the visitors' book.

The Queen had an audience with First Minister Rhodri Morgan before lunch was served in the museum's main hall.

Around 200 guests joined the party for a lunch of Welsh produce at the invitation of the National Assembly for Wales.

The award-winning Welsh Culinary Team served up trout mousse wrapped in smoked salmon to start, followed by stuffed fillet of Welsh beef.

Dessert was vanilla pannacotta with summer berries, followed by coffee and a selection of Welsh cakes, chocolates and fudge.

Afterwards The Prince visited the National History Museum at St Fagans and Dyffryn House to see the ongoing restoration taking place there.  Click here to read the story.